Neocortical sleep spindles have been shown to occur more frequently following a memory task, suggesting that a method to increase spindle activity could improve memory processing. Stimulation of the neocortex can elicit a slow oscillation (SO) and a spindle, but the feasibility of this method to boost SO and spindles over time has not been tested.…

Background/context: In recent years, opposition to accountability policies and associated testing has manifested in widespread boycotts of annual tests--mobilized as the "opt-out movement." A central challenge facing any movement is the need to recruit and mobilize participants. Key to this process is framing--a discursive tactic in…

This study examined the test-retest reliability of the standing long jump (SLJ) and the countermovement jump (CMJ) following consistent and non-consistent attentional focus cuing instructions in physically active young adults (n = 30). The systematic error (as standardize change in mean), random error (as typical error), the Bland and Altman…

Retrieval enhances subsequent memory more than restudy (i.e., the testing effect), demonstrating the encoding (or reencoding) effects of retrieval. It is important to delineate the nature of the encoding effects of retrieval especially in comparison to traditional encoding processes. The current study examined if the level of retrieval, analogous…

Anatomical examinations have been designed to assess topographical and/or applied knowledge of anatomy with or without the inclusion of visual resources such as cadaveric specimens or images, radiological images, and/or clinical photographs. Multimedia learning theories have advanced the understanding of how words and images are processed during…

With the wide application of the OSCE in the field of pharmacy, the development of e-assessment in OSCE is a predictable trend. However, the feasibility of its practical application and the acceptance of examiners who are accustomed to using traditional paper-based methods are worthy of being discussed. The e-assessment system (EAS) was…

Multistage testing (MST), an adaptive test delivery mode that involves algorithmic selection of predefined item modules rather than individual items, offers a practical alternative to linear and fully computerized adaptive testing. However, interactions across stages between item modules and examinee groups can lead to challenges in item…

Many tertiary language courses have some online components as part of their blended learning initiatives. These online activities could be part of assessments, and online quizzes/tests can be used as preparation for the demanding final written examination. This study attempts to shed some light on the effects of online tests on final examination…

The indirect effect of perceived test importance on test performance via examinee effort is often modeled using importance and effort scores measured "after" test completion, which does not align with their theoretical temporal ordering. These retrospectively measured scores may be influenced by examinees' test performance. To…

Many universities have been designing and implementing online instruction for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic created an unexpected impetus for the expansion of virtual learning. Instructors and students who may not have previously chosen or experienced online instruction found themselves in need of safe, virtual options, and it appears that the…

Basic teacher certification examinations serve as the primary tool for assessing the academic readiness of candidates to enter teacher education programs in many parts of the United States. However, data indicate that teacher examinations disproportionately hinder diverse individuals. Current research has linked Florida's General Knowledge,…

In an era focused on testing to ensure accountability, educators question the fairness and wisdom of the standardized tests as a means to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. The problem addressed by this study was the impact of stress, anxiety, and burnout on elementary teachers as a result of expectations in administering state…

Advancements in technology and computer-based testing has allowed for greater flexibility in assessing examinee knowledge on large-scale, high-stakes assessments. Through computer-based delivery, cognitive ability and skills can be effectively assessed cost-efficiently and measure domains that are difficult or even impossible to measure with…

In "The Testing Charade: Pretending to Make Schools Better", the author's new book from which this article is drawn, the failures of test-based accountability are documented and some of the most egregious misuses and outright abuses of testing are described, along with some of the most serious negative effects. Neither good intentions…

The current study proposes novel methods to predict multistage testing (MST) performance without conducting simulations. This method, called MST test information, is based on analytic derivation of standard errors of ability estimates across theta levels. We compared standard errors derived analytically to the simulation results to demonstrate the…